Dark Alliance

~ Full-Length Romantic Suspense Novel ~
Tara, the Crown Princess of Gautier, a small European island country west of France, has gone to the finest schools in the world and was raised in the luxury of a beautiful palace in a country fast becoming one of Europe’s hot spots. In the eyes of the public, she lives in a fairy tale world, admired and adored by her people. But in the shadows lurks an evil far greater than even the king can imagine.

Babysitting a beautiful princess sounds like an easy job for former CIA agent Alex Girard, but when it becomes clear the assassin trying to kill Tara is the same man responsible for killing his father, he knows keeping her alive may be the toughest assignment of his life. Just as disturbing is the growing attraction he has for the future queen. Determined to find the answers that will save the monarchy and bring the murderer to justice, Alex and Tara team up with friends on an international quest fated to change all their lives.

Chapter One
Alex watched as the woman exited the motel room. She was much taller than he expected, at least five-eight. Her light auburn hair was bound in a ponytail, which stuck out the back of a New York Yankee's baseball cap.
Faded blue jeans formed well to her shapely hips and legs underneath a baggy Yankee's sweatshirt. "She's a beauty," he commented as he turned to the man in the passenger seat.
"Yeah she is, and she can be quite a hand full. So don't underestimate her."
"Sounds intriguing, this might not be as boring as I thought."
"Your job is to keep an eye on her, that's it. Do you understand?"
Alex nodded, then shifted his eyes back to the woman as she paused to talk with a maid. "Is she really a princess?"
"Not only is she a princess, she's King Edward's only child."
"You mean that's Princess Tara?"
"The one and only."
She wore dark sunglasses but he was still surprised he hadn't recognized the Crown Princess of Gautier from the supermarket tabloids where she often appeared. The small European island was almost mystical in its history, and like most royalty, Princess Tara was highly sought after to help sell their magazines, fetching handsome rewards to the photographers lucky enough to catch her off guard. There was hardly a week went by her lovely face didn't grace one of their covers.
"Since when are you interested in the comings and goings of royalty?"
"Since she hired me last year to find her brother."
"It's been over fifteen years since Prince James was kidnapped. If her own government couldn't find him what makes her think we can?"
"Because we have better connections than they do."
"Do I need to remind you I was terminated by the CIA eight months ago?"
"You've still got friends and so do I."
Alex grinned. He'd known Scott Humphreys long enough to know when he wasn't being completely honest. "Why do I get the feeling there's more you're not telling me?"


Anne Patrick is the author of more than a dozen novels of Romance, Mayhem & Faith including the award winning and bestselling FIRE AND ASH (LRC’s 2010 Best Thriller/Suspense winner and TRR’s 2010 Best Inspirational winner), SABOTAGE (recipient of a 5 heart review from The Romance Studio as well as a Sweetheart Award winner), and KILL SHOT (A finalist in the 2011 Grace Awards ).